Missionary Travels and Researches in South AfricaLivingstone, David
Religion
Missionary Travels and Researches in South Africa
Livingstone, David
Missions -- South Africa; South Africa -- Description and travel
On the 7th we came to the village of Soana Molopo, a half-brother of
Katema, a few miles beyond the Lokalueje. When we went to visit him, we
found him sitting with about one hundred men. He called on Intemese to
give some account of us, though no doubt it had been done in private
before. He then pronounced the following sentences: "The journey of the
white man is very proper, but Shinte has disturbed us by showing the
path to the Makololo who accompany him. He ought to have taken them
through the country without showing them the towns. We are afraid of
the Makololo." He then gave us a handsome present of food, and seemed
perplexed by my sitting down familiarly, and giving him a few of our
ideas. When we left, Intemese continued busily imparting an account
of all we had given to Shinte and Masiko, and instilling the hope that
Soana Molopo might obtain as much as they had received. Accordingly,
when we expected to move on the morning of the 8th, we got some hints
about the ox which Soana Molopo expected to eat, but we recommended him
to get the breed of cattle for himself, seeing his country was so well
adapted for rearing stock. Intemese also refused to move; he, moreover,
tried to frighten us into parting with an ox by saying that Soana Molopo
would send forward a message that we were a marauding party; but we
packed up and went on without him. We did not absolutely need him, but
he was useful in preventing the inhabitants of secluded villages from
betaking themselves to flight. We wished to be on good terms with
all, and therefore put up with our guide's peccadilloes. His good word
respecting us had considerable influence, and he was always asked if we
had behaved ourselves like men on the way. The Makololo are viewed as
great savages, but Intemese could not justly look with scorn on them,
for he has the mark of a large gash on his arm, got in fighting; and he
would never tell the cause of battle, but boasted of his powers as the
Makololo do, till asked about a scar on his back, betokening any thing
but bravery.
Intemese was useful in cases like that of Monday, when we came upon
a whole village in a forest enjoying their noonday nap. Our sudden
appearance in their midst so terrified them that one woman nearly went
into convulsions from fear. When they saw and heard Intemese, their
terror subsided.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account